Table leg assembly



Nov. 30, 1965 c. o. LARSON 2 TABLE LEG ASSEMBLY Filed June 19, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet l lnvemor Charles 0. Larson Nov. 30, 1965 c. o. LARSON 3,220,365

TABLE LEG ASSEMBLY Filed June 19, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 5

Inventor Charles 0. Larson United States Patent 3,220,365 TABLE LEG ASSEMBLY Charles 0. Larson, Sterling, Ill., assignor to Chas. 0. Larson Co., Sterling, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Filed June 19, 1964, Ser. No. 376,362 Claims. (Cl. 108-456) This invention relates to tables, and particularly to tables having improved table legs and improved structure for attaching the table legs to the under side of a table top.

It is an important object of the present invention to provide an improved table leg and mounting structure therefor, and particularly a table leg assembly wherein the leg can be readily removed from and applied to the associated table top.

Another object of the invention is to provide a table leg assembly of the type set forth which includes a table top having an upper support surface and a lower attachment surface disposed substantially parallel to each other, a leg including a pair of elongated and angularly disposed sides, each of the sides at one end thereof having an outwardly directed attachment flange thereon disposed substantially perpendicular to the associated side, the outer surfaces of the attachment flanges lying in the same plane and disposed against the lower attachment surface of the table top, a clamping plate having substantially an L-shape and including an attachment portion generally centrally thereof having an opening therein and a pair of clam-ping arms extending outwardly therefrom and disposed apart at the same angle as the sides of the leg, a fastener extending through the opening in the attachment portion and mounting the clamping plate upon the lower attachment surface of the leg with the clamping arms extending outwardly and overlying the attachment flanges firmly to mount the leg upon the table top, the leg being removable from the table top by sliding the attachment flanges from underneath the clamping arms and being mountable upon the table top by sliding the attachment flanges beneath the clamping arms.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved table leg assembly of the type set forth, wherein the vertically extending edges of the leg sides have reinforcing flanges therein to rigidify the leg.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an improved table leg assembly of the type set forth, wherein the lower end of each of the leg sides has an inwardly directed support flange thereon disposed substantially perpendicular to the associated side, the support flange having the outer surfaces thereof lying in the same plane.

In connection with the foregoing object, it is another object of the invention to provide improved table leg assembly of the type set forth wherein the support flanges at the lower end of the leg have openings therein for receiving fasteners therethrough fixedly to mount the lower end of the leg upon an underlying support member.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an improved table leg assembly of the type set forth, wherein the clamping arms of the clamping plate are offset away from the lower attachment surface of the table top thereby more readily to receive the attachment flanges of the leg therebeneath.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved table leg assembly of the type set forth, wherein the leg has four elongated and angularly disposed sides arranged to provide a leg having substantially a square cross section, each of the sides at one end thereof having an outwardly directed attachment flange thereon.

In connection with the foregoing object, it is a still further object of the invention to provide a table leg assembly of the type set forth wherein each of the four leg sides is provided with an inwardly directed support flange thereon disposed substantially perpendicular to the associated side, the outer surfaces of the support flanges lying in the same plane.

Further features of the invention pertain to the particular arrangement of the parts of the improved table leg and table leg assembly of the present invention whereby the above-outlined and additional operating features thereof are attained.

The invention, both as to its organization and method of assembly and use, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a table top having support legs mounted thereon utilizing an improved leg assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view of one corner of the table of FIG. 1 as viewed from the bottom and showing the improved table leg assembly of the present invention, all in accordance with and embodying the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the table leg assembly illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view in perspective with the table top removed of the table leg assembly illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 2 and showing another method of mounting the table leg directly upon the table top;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 2 and illustrating another table leg construction incorporated in the table leg assembly;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the table leg assembly illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is an exploded view in perspective of the table leg assembly illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7; and I FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view similar to FIG. 6 but showing a modified structure for mounting the table leg directly upon the table top. .1

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4 of the drawings, there s shown a first preferred embodiment of the table leg assembly of the present invention incorporated m a table generally designated by the numeral 10, one of the table leg assemblies being provided at each of the four corners of the table 10 to provide support therefor and each comprising generally a leg 20 and an associated lock plate or clamping plate 40. 7

Referring first to FIG. 1, the table 10 includes more specifically a table top 11 having an upper support sur-.-

face 12, a lower attachment surface 14, and a vertical edge 16 extending around the periphery thereof and inter connecting the upper support surface 12 and the lower attachment surface 14; the upper support surface 12 and the lower attachment surface 14 are substantially planar in form, rectangular in shape and disposed generally parallel to each other and mutually normal to the surrounding edge 16. The table top 11 may more particularly be in the form of a flush door or may be formed of a piece of plywood or other suitable material.

The four legs 20 are all formed identical one with the other and accordingly only one will be described in detail.

The leg 20 is essentially formed as an angle iron and includes two elongated and angularly disposed sides 21 and 22 that are essentially rectangular in shape and extend the entire length of the leg 20 and are joined along one edge thereof as at 23 and are disposed substantially perpendicular to each other. The upper edge of each of the sides 21 and 22 has thereon an outwardly directed attachment flange 25 and 26, respectively, the flanges 25 and 26 being disposed substantially perpendicular to the asso ciated side and extend outwardly therefrom and having the outer or upper surfaces thereof lying in the same plane and adapted to be disposed against the lower attachment surface 14 of the table top 11. As may be best seen in FIG. 2, the general outline of the flanges and 26 is semi-circular so that no sharp edges are presented thereby. Disposed substantially centrally of each of the attachment flanges 25 and 26 are circular openings 27 and 28, respectively, which may receive fasteners therethrough directly to mount the leg 20 upon the table top 11 as will be described more fully hereinafter.

Each of the other edges of the leg sides 21 and 22 is provided thereon with a relatively short stiffening and reinforcingflange, the side 21 having the flange 29 thereon and the side 22 having the flange 30 thereon, the flanges 29 and 30 being inwardly directed and disposed substantially perpendicular to the associated side 21 and 22, respectively and extend substantially the full length of the leg 20 and generally directed toward each other and parallel to the other side, i.e., the flange 29 is substantially parallel to the side 22 and the flange 30 is substantially parallel to the side 21. As is best seen in FIGS. 2 and 4 of the drawings, the flanges 29 and 30 terminate at points spaoed well from each other.

The lower end of the leg 20 is preferably closed, and more particularly, there is provided on the lower edge of each of the leg sides 21 and 22 an inwardly directed support flange 31 and 32, respectively, the flanges 31 and 32 being disposed substantially perpendicular to the associated sides 21 and 22, respectively, and having the outer or lower surfaces thereof lying in the same plane and adapted to be disposed against an underlying support surface. More particularly, each of the support flanges 31 and 32 is formed as a right triangle so as substantially to close the lower end of the leg 20 and to prevent the presentation of any but rounded surfaces to a support surface disposed beneath and in supporting relationship to the leg 20. The flanges 31 and 32 have openings 33 and 34, respectively, therein for receiving therethrough fasteners fixedly to mount the lower end of the leg 20 upon the underlying support member.

In accordance with the first preferred embodiment of the invention, the leg 20 is mounted upon the lower attachment surface 14 of the table top 11 by means of the clamping plate 40. The clamping plate is substantially L-shaped and includes generally centrally thereof an attachment portion 41. The attachment portion 41 has a pair of openings 42 therein which are adapted to receive therethrough suitable fasteners such as the screws 50 for mounting the clamping plate 41 upon the lower attachment surface 14 of the table top 11, the upper surface of the attachment portion 41 bearing directly against the lower attachment surface 14. The clamping plate 40 further includes a pair of outwardly extending clamping arms 43 and 44 which are disposed apart at the same angle as the leg sides 21 and 22, and in the form of the invention illustrated are therefor disposed at an angle of 90 with respect to each other, the general shape of the clamping arms 43 and 44 being substantially semi-circular as may be best seen in FIG. 2 of the drawings. The clamping arms 43 and 44 are actually offset with respect to and spaced away from the lower attachment surface 14 by a pair of inclined connecting portions 45 and 46, the surfaces of the clamping arms 43 and 44 disposed toward the lower attachment surface 14 being disposed in substantially the same plane and spaced from the lower attachment surface 14 a distance slightly less than the thickness of the associated attachment flanges 25 and 26. The connecting portions 45 and 46 are preferably bendable and resilient to accommodate a limited movement of the clamping arms 43 and 44 toward and away from the lower attachment surface 14.

The clamping plate 40 serves removably to mount the leg 20 upon the tabl top 11 and specifically upon the lower attachment surface 14 thereof. More particularly, the resilience of the attachment portions 45 and 46 of the clamping plate 41) permits the attachment flanges 25 and 26 to be pushed between the lower attachment surface 14 the associated clamping arms 43 and 44, respectively, despite the fact that the normal distance between the clamping arms 43 and 44 and the surface 14 is less than the thickness of the attachment flanges 25 and 26. Once the attachment flanges 25 and 26 are disposed between the surface 14 and the associated clamping arms 43 and 44, respectively, the clamping arms 43 and 44 serves firmly to clamp the attachment flanges 25 and 26 against the surface 14 to mount the leg 20 upon the table top 11. If it is desired to remove the leg 20 from beneath the table top 11, the leg 20 need only be moved away from the clamping plate 40 in a direction generally parallel to the surface 14 until the attachment flanges 25 and 26 are removed from registration with the clamping arms 43 and 44, after which the leg 20 is completely free of the table top 11. To remount the leg20 upon the table top 11, it is required simply to place the upper surfaces of the attachment flanges 25 and 26 against the surface 14 and to move the leg 20 in a direction parallel to the surface 14 until the attachment flanges 25 and 26 are again beneath the clamping arms 43 and 44, and in general registration therewith; the clamping arms 43 and 44 due to the resilience thereof and the resilience of the connecting portions 45 and 46 continually urge the attachment flanges 25 and 26 into firm contact with the lower attachment surface 14 of the table top 11, thus to mount the leg 20 upon the table top 11.

Referring to FIG. 5 there is shown another embodiment of the table leg assembly wherein the table leg 20 is mounted directly upon the table top 11 by means of the screws 50, the screws 50 extending through the openings 27 and 28 in the attachment flanges 25 and 26, respectively, and then into the table top 11 directly and fixedly to secure the table leg 20 to the lower attachment surface 14 of the table top 11.

Referring to FIGS. 6 to 8 of the drawings, a second embodiment of the table leg is illustrated, the table leg being generally designated by the numeral 120. The table leg comprises four elongated and angularly disposed sides 121, 122, 141 and 142, the sides 121 and 122 being integrally joined along the edges 123, the sides 121 and 141 being integrally joined along the edge 143, and the sides 122 and 142 being integrally joined along the edge 153, the other edges of the sides 141 and 142 abutting but not being joined, the leg 120 in fact being formed from a flat piece of sheet metal bent to provide the illustrated configuration.

The upper edge of each of the sides 121, 122, 141 and 142 has thereon an outwardly directed attachment flange 125, 126, 145 and 146, respectively, the flange 125, 126, 145 and 146 being disposed substantially perpendicular to the associated side and extending outwardly therefrom and having the outer or upper surfaces thereof lying in the same plane and adapted to be disposed against the lower attachment surface 1.4 of. an associated table top 11. As may be best seen in FIG, 6, the general outline of the flanges 125, 126, 145 and 146 is semi-circular so that no sharp edges are presented thereby. Disposed substantially centrally of each. of the attachment flanges 125, 126, 145 and 146 are circular openings 127, 128, 147 and 148, respectively, which may receive fasteners therethrough directly to mount the leg 120 upon an associated table top 11 as will be described more fully hereinafter.

The lower end of the leg 121) is preferably closed, and more particularly, there is provided on the lower edge of each of the leg sides 121, 122, 141 and 142 an inwardly directed support flange 131, 132, 151 and 152, respectively, each of the support flanges being disposed substantially perpendicular to the associated leg side; the

outer or lower surfaces of the support flanges 131, 132, 151 and 152 all lie in the same plane and are adapted to be disposed against an underlying support surface. More particularly, each of the support flanges 131, 132, 151 and 152 is formed as a right triangle connected at its hypotenuse to the associated leg side, suitable cutouts being provided at each apex to permit the support flanges to interfit one with the other so as substantially to close the lower end of the leg 120 and so that no sharp corners are presented thereby.

In one preferred table structure in which the table leg 120 is employed, one of the clamping plates 40 is utilized to mount the leg 120 upon the underside 14 of a table top 11 as is illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 8 of the drawings. The clamping plate 40 is attached by means of the screws 50 to the surface 14 and serves removably to mount the leg 120 upon the table top 11 and specifically upon the lower attachment surface 14 thereof. More particularly, the resilience of the attachment portions 45 and 46 of the clamping plate, 40 permits a selected pair of the attachment flanges 125, 126, 145 and 146 to be pushed between the lower attachment surface 14 and an associated pair of clamping arms 43 and 44, respectively, despite the fact that the normal distance between the clamping arms 43 and 44 and the surface 14 is less than the thickness of the attachment flanges 125, 126, 145 and 146. Once the attachment flanges of the selected pair thereof are disposed between the associated surface 14 and the clamping arms 43 and 44, respectively, the clamping arms 43 and 44 serve firmly to clamp the selected pair of attachment flanges against the surface 14 to mount the leg 120 upon the table top 11. If it is desired to remove the leg 120 from beneath the table top 11, the leg 120 need only be moved away from the clamping plate 40 in a direction generally parallel to the surface 14 until the selected pair of the attachment flanges 125, 126, 145 and 146 is removed from registration with the clamping arms 43 and 44, after which the leg 120 is completely free of the table top 11. To remount the leg 120 upon the table top 11, it is required simply to place the upper surfaces of the attachment flanges 125, 126, 145 and 146 against the surface 14 and to move the leg 120 in a direction parallel to the surface 14 until the attachment flanges of a selected pair of attachment flanges are beneath the clamping arms 43 and 44, and in general registration thereof; the clamping arms 43 and 44 due to the resilience thereof and the resilience of the connecting portions 45 and 46 continually urge the selected pair of attachment flanges into firm contact with the surface 14 of the table top 11, thus to mount the leg 120 upon the table top 11.

Referring to FIG. 9 there is shown another embodiment of a table 160 wherein the table leg 120 is mounted directly upon the table top 11 by means of the screws 50, the screws 50 extending through the openings 127, 128, 147 and 148 in the attachment flanges 125, 126, 145 and 146, respectively, and then into the table top 11 directly and fixedly to secure the table leg 120 to the lower attachment surface 14 of the table top 11.

While there have been described what are at present considered to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be understood that various modifications may be made therein, and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination, a support member having an upper support surface and a lower attachment surface disposed substantially parallel to each other, a leg including a pair of elongated and angularly disposed sides, each of said adapted to be positioned against said lower attachment surface, a substantially L-shaped clamping plate of resilient material having a central attachment portion provided with an opening therein and a pair of clamping arms extending outwardly therefrom in substantial paral lelism with said support surface and disposed apart at the same angle as said leg sides, a fastener extending through said opening in said attachment portion and mounting said clamping plate upon said lower attachment surface, and each of said clamping arms being offset downwardly from said central attachment portion to space the arms from said supporting surface by a distance slightly less than the thickness of said leg attachment flanges, said attachment flanges of the leg being slideable into said spaces thereby flexing said arms resiliently to clamp said leg between the arm and said support surface and detachably mount the leg on said support member.

2. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said leg comprises an angle bar having a reinforcing flange extending along the length of the outer edge of each side and directed inwardly towards the opposite side, and each of said sides is provided at the end opposite to said attachment flanges with an inwardly extending support flange, said support flanges being disposed in a common plane for resting on an underlying surface.

3. A leg for attachment to a support member having an upper support surface and a lower support surface disposed substantially parallel to each other, said leg being shaped as an angle iron and including a pair of elongated and angularly disposed sides, each of said sides at one end thereof having an outwardly bent attachment flange disposed substantially perpendicular to the associated side, said attachment flanges lying in the same plane for positioning against said lower attachment surface, each of the longitudinally extending edges of said leg sides being provided with an inwardly bent reinforcing flange extending throughout the length thereof in a direction towards the other of said sides, each of said leg sides being provided at the ends thereof opposite to said attachment flanges with inwardly bent triangularly shaped floor engaging members, said triangularly shaped floor engaging members being of such size as to abut along adjacent sides thereof and substantially cover an area projected by said sides and reinforcing flanges of the legs thereby to provide a flat substantially closed bottom for said leg.

4. In combination, a support member having an upper support surface and a lower attachment surface disposed substantially parallel to each other, a leg comprising a sheet of metal bent to provide four elongated and angularly disposed sides arranged to form a hollow leg substantially square in cross section, each of said sides at one end thereof having an outwardly bent attachmentflange thereon disposed substantially perpendicular to the associated side, the outer surfaces of said attachment flanges lying in the same plane and being adapted to be disposed against said lower attachment surface, each of said sides at the opposite end thereof having an inwardly bent triangularly shaped support flange thereon disposed substantially perpendicular to the associated side to lie in common plane, each of said triangularly shaped flanges being of such size as to abut along adjacent sides thereof and substantially cover an area projected by said sides of said legs thereby to provide a flat substantially closed bottom for said leg, and means cooperating with at least a pair of said attachment flanges for mounting said leg on said attachment surface of said support memher.

5. In combination, a support member having an upper support surface and a lower attachment surface disposed substantially parallel to each other, a leg comprising a sheet of metal bent to provide four elongated and angularly disposed sides arranged to form a hollow leg substantially square in cross section, each of said sides at one end thereof having an outwardly bent attachment flange thereon disposed substantially perpendicular to the associated side, the outer surfaces of said attachrnent flanges lying in the same plane and being adapted to be disposed against said lower attachment surface, each of said sides at the opposite end thereof having an inwardly bent triangularly shaped support flange thereon disposed substantially perpendicular to the associated side to lie in a common plan, each of said triangularly shaped flanges being of such size as to abut along adjacent sides thereof and substantially cover an area projected by said sides of said legs thereby to provide a flat substantially closed bottom for said leg, and means comprising a substantially L-shaped clamping plate of resilient material attached to said attachment surface and having right angularly disposed downwardly offset clamping arms adapted slidea'bly to receive and resiliently to 2 clamp a pair of said leg attachment flanges between said arms and said attachment surface thereby detachably to mount said leg on said support member.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,386,739 8/1921 Stoll et a1 248-188 1,881,491 10/1932 Goetz 248188 1,910,336 5/1933 Hoifstetter et a1. 108156 X 2,210,047 8/ 1940 Stieglitz 108-156 X 10 2,253,172 s/1941 Fetterman 108153 2,533,313 12/1950 Flicker 108156 2,700,584 1/1955 Hobbs 248188 X 2,954,638 10/1960 Motter 108156 X 3,041,708 7/1962 Holtz 248188 X FOREIGN PATENTS 586,374 10/1933 Germany 248-188 507 1902 Great Britain 248-488 FRANK B. SHERRY, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN COMBINATION, A SUPPORT MEMBER HAVING AN UPPER SUPPORT SURFACE AND A LOWER ATTACHMENT SURFACE DISPOSED SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL TO EACH OTHER, A LEG INCLUDING A PAIR OF ELONGATED AND ANGULARLY DISPOSED SIDES, EACH OF SAID SIDES AT ONE END THEREOF HAVING AN OUTWARDLY DIRECTED ATTACHMENT FLANGE THEREON DISPOSED SUBSTANTIALLY PERPENDICULAR TO THE ASSOCIATED SIDE, THE OUTER SURFACES OF SAID ATTACHMENT FLANGES LYING IN THE SAME PLANE AND BEING ADAPTED TO BE POSITIONED AGAINST SAID LOWER ATTACHMENT SURFACE, A SUBSTANTIALLY L-SHAPED CLAMPING PLATE OF RESILIENT MATERIAL HAVING A CENTRAL ATTACHMENT PORTION PROVIDED WITH AN OPENING THEREIN AND A PAIR OF CLAMPING ARMS EXTENDING OUTWARDLY THEREFROM IN SUBSTANAIL PARALLELISM WITH SAID SUPPORT SURFACE AND DISPOSED APART AT THE SAME ANGLE LEG SIDES, A FASTENER EXTENDING 